Devices for cleansing the bilge water and the like in watercraft

ABSTRACT

A water permeable container charged with an antimicrobiological compound, e.g. dichlorophen, which when inserted into water, e.g. ships bilge water, will cause the compound to be dispersed into the water as a dispersion for cleansing the water of microbiological organisms, the compound being noncorrosive to metals, acting over a temperature range found in watercraft and having a low toxicity to humans.

\h United States i n 1 3,589,668

[72] Inventor Roy Clifford Dyer [56] R ferences Cited l2, McLeods Mews, Emperors Gate, UNITED STATES PATENTS [2]] App] No ggg gg England 2,750,027 6/1956 Cummings .i 252 90 ux {22] Filed' Sept 18 1968 3,322,674 /1967 Friedman 252/90 3,346,447 /1967 Wright 260/619 (A) paemed June 1971 3 399 806 9/1968 Lucas 222 54 [32] Priority Aug 2,1968 [33] Great Britain, Primary Examiner-Stanley H Tollberg [3]] 37100/68 Attorney-Imirie and Smiley [54} ILGE WATER AIBSCT: A water permeable container charged with an antimicrobiological compound, e.g. dichlorophen, which 4 Chums 2 Drawmg Flgs' when inserted into water, e.g. ships bilge water, will cause the [52] US. Cl 239/541 compound to be dispersed into the water as a dispersion for [51] Int. Cl cleansing the water of microbiological organisms, the com- Field of Search 222/54, pound being noncorrosive to metals, acting over a tempera- 192, 239/53-56, 57, 34', 206/77. 1; 252/; 260/619, 619 A,6l9 B, 619 D ture range found in watercraft and having a low toxicity to humans.

PATENTEUJUNZSIQYI 3,589,608

lnvenlor MY 0. DYER A tlorneyg DEVICES FOR CLEANSING THE BILGE WATER AND THE LIKE IN WATERCRAFT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a dispenser and to a process for cleansing the bilge water or for like usage in watercraft.

2. Description of the Prior Art A problem has always existed in all ships large and small of bilge water which becomes dirty and foul through a number of reasons. One of the most important of these is microbiological growth. The addition of chemicals to kill these is known, but since bilges have frequently to be pumped out, the added chemical is lost in this process. Again, the antibactericidal and antialgaecidal agents should cover a wide span of organisms including algae, fungi and bacteria, since ships will take in water in various parts of the world and will thus receive a wide range of contamination. In addition, the chemical should be noncorrosive to metals, act over a temperature range found in ships bilges and have a low toxicity to humans.

The main object of the present invention is to provide means by which these disadvantages are minimized.

SUMMARY According to the present invention a dispenser for use in cleansing parts of watercraft of microbiological organisms comprises a container charged with an antimicrobiological compound in a form which will enable it to be dispensed therefrom as a dispersion onto surfaces of watercraft infected with such organisms, the compound being noncorrosive to metals, acting over a temperature range found in watercraft and having a low toxicity to humans.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation, part cut away, by way of example of a dispenser containing cleaning material; and

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the dispenser shown in FIG. I wrapped in a water soluble wrapping material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Preferably the compound is dichlorophen (5,5-dichloro- 2,2 dihydroxy-diphenylmethane) preferably as marketed by British Drug Houses Limited under the Registered Trademark PANACIDE.

In one preferred construction, see FIG. 1, the dispenser is in the form of a diffuser for cleansing bilge water in watercraft, comprising a container 1 of water-pervious material containing a quantity of a compound 2 in the form of dichlorophen (5,5'2,2' dihydroxy'diphenylmethane) or like material as herein defined in solid form (as herein defined), the material of the container 1 having a multiplicity of pores or holes therethrough of such size that the contents are retained therein but permitting water to make contact with the compound therein and cause it to be diffused through the container wall and the surrounding water. Ideally, a chemical should be in a form which will be effective in conditions of considerable dilution so that when bilges are pumped out the reentrant water is brought into contact with the same compound in the container thus avoiding waste of the compound and the necessity to measure further additions of compound.

The dichlorophen or like compound is used in a solid form preferably in granular form enclosed in a container such as a linen sac. Eight ounces of the granules in this sac are found to be sufficient to treat 800 gallons of water. In small craft, particularly those of wooden construction, the sac diffuses the compound with the bilge water and the movement of the bilge water with the craft underway promotes mixing. When the bilges are pumped out, the reentering water continues the cycle of operation. Thus one container of 8 ounces dispensing the compound from the diffuser onto surfaces on or in watercraft.

Alternative compounds for use in the diffuser include any antimicrobiological material in nongaseous form which can be applied by the process of the invention to ships surfaces, is noncorrosive to metals, is nondeleterious to woodwork, fabrics or synthetic plastics, acts over a temperature range conventional in ships and has a low toxicity to humans and is nonirritant to humans. In the form the compound may be in liquid or powder form in a container which may be an aerosol spray container.

Where the container is porous, as in FIG. 1, it may be wrapped for storage and sale in a bag or wrapping 3 of material, (see FIG. 2) e.g. synthetic plastic film impervious to the compound but is soluble in water, so that when immersed in bilge water for example the wrapping 3 will dissolve or disintegrate whereby the water may enter the container 1 to diffuse out the compound 2.

The bilge water so treated effectively inhibits the development of rot in the hull of a woodencraft. In addition, the compound is active in inhibiting the growth of fungicidal infection which affects humans. Athletes Foot being an example of this, there being a high incidence among yachtsmen. The compound also acts against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It also has its antibacterial activity unaffected by many of the detergents in normal use which are used to immulsify in water. The value of this type of compound is that it is economical to use, it has a wide range of activity against microbiological organisms, it is nonirritant and nontoxic to human beings in concentrations found for this usage.

The reduction of microbiological organisms in bilge water and on surfaces in or on watercrafts in general by this means reduces the musty" odor normally present in unused small craft, it prevents the growth of organisms which cause wood rot and absorbs into wooden hulls thus purifying and protecting the wood. It creates a hygenic condition for the personnel when on board.

Iclaim:

l. A dispenser for use in cleansing parts of watercraft of microbiological organisms comprising a nonwater soluble but water porous container charged with an antimicrobiological compound consisting of dichlorophen (5,5'-dichloro-2,2' dihydroxy-diphenylmethane) in solid form, the material of the container having a multiplicity of pores therethrough of such size that the compound is retained therein but permitting water to make contact with the compound therein and cause it to be diffused through the pores of the container material into surrounding water.

2. A dispenser according claim 1 in which the container is a linen sac.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the water porous container is wrapped in a water soluble wrapping material.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the compound is in a form selected from a powder, and granulate material. 

1. A dispenser for use in cleansing parts of watercraft of microbiological organisms comprising a nonwater soluble but water porous container charged with an antimicrobiological compound consisting of dichlorophen (5,5''-dichloro-2,2'' dihydroxydiphenylmethane) in solid form, the material of the container having a multiplicity of pores therethrough of such size that the compound is retained therein but permitting water to make contact with the compound therein and cause it to be diffused through the pores of the container material into surrounding water.
 2. A dispenser according claim 1 in which the container is a linen sac.
 3. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the water porous container is wrapped in a water soluble wrapping material.
 4. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the compound is in a form selected from a powder, and granulate material. 